After applying it to secondary packaging machines, SMI extended the ERGON design concept to its stretch-blow moulders and launched a brand-new machine series called EBS (Electronic Blowing System) ERGON, where advanced electronics took the lion's share in the complete redesign of the entire equipment. The EBS ERGON project aims at fully switching towards all- electronic processes, which will allow to get rid of the whole of mechanical movements and related cams, actually making the blower a cam-less machine.

The new range is made up of 3 HC (High Capacity) models, from 3 to 6 cavities, specifically designed for the production of high-capacity containers with a maximum output of 1,200 bph/cavity.

The EBS ERGON HC series of rotary stretch-blow moulders ensures high performances in the stretch-blow moulding of PET, PEN and PP bottles, mainly used in the “food & beverage” sector. Thanks to high-tech components, minimized maintenance and operational costs and excellent quality/price ratio, the EBS ERGON HC series is the ideal solution for the production of plastic containers of different capacities, featuring various shapes, from the most simple to the most sophisticated ones.

EBS 3 HC ERGON

EBS 4 HC ERGON

EBS 6 HC ERGON

Max. output (BPH)

3600

4800

7200

Bottle size

min Ø = 44 mm max Ø = 215 mm

min Ø = 44 mm max Ø = 215 mm

min Ø = 44 mm max Ø = 215 mm

Cavities

3

4

6

1Preforms feeding The preforms are transferred from the hopper to the unscrambler through a lifting belt; the unscrambler conveys them to an inclined guide, from where they reach the spacer star wheel at the heating module infeed, by gravitational fall. The star wheel feeds the rotary mandrel chain, through which the preforms are “captured” and let into the heating module.

2Preforms heatingBefore entering the heating module, equipped with infrared lamps, each preform undergoes accurate checks, which detect its size and vertical position and automatically eliminate the preforms not compliant with the pre-set parameters. The preforms, supported by the mandrels, start moving along the heating module. During the heating process, the preforms constantly turn around themselves, so as to ensure an excellent and symmetrical heat distribution. The heating module is equipped with two different cooling systems: a liquid-fed cooling system, in order to cool the protection ring preventing the preforms thread deformation during the heating process; an air-fed cooling system, in order to keep the temperature inside the heating module as low as to avoid the exposure of the preforms outside walls to too high temperatures. At the heating module outlet, a sensor detects the preform temperature and compares it with the temperature set point; if the two values do not correspond, it increases or decreases the heating module lamps power.

3Preform stretch blow-moldingA special rotary group of grippers picks up the preforms from the oven and sets them into the stretch-blowing stations. The stretch-blowing process includes two phases: - stretching and pre-blowing, which occur simultaneously through the descent of the motorized stretching rod and the supply of low-pressure compressed air;- final blowing with high-pressure compressed air, through which the containers take their final shape. A counter-pressure air system ensures the perfect locking of the moulds, whereas the mechanical locking of the mold-holders allows bearing the strengths generated by the stretch-blow moulding process with the maximum reliability. Also the stretch-blowing stations are equipped with a liquid-fed cooling system, which keeps the molds temperature constant.

4Bottles outletDuring the blowing process, an accurate measurement system checks that the process follows the pression profile required. In fact, a pressure drop would alter the container shape which would cause the automatic rejection of the container. The finished bottles are picked from the stretch-blowing stations by another rotary group of grippers and put onto an air conveyor which finally transfers them to the filling machines.

PREFORMS UNSCRAMBLER

recovery of the preforms in excess, carried back to the hopper

GRIPPERS' ROTARY GROUPS

positively actuated valve gear control of the grippers rotary groups, by means of a double cam

PREFORM-HEATING MODULE

horizontally positioned infrared lamps, grouped in various sections

up to 8 infrared lamps for each section of the heating module

possibility to set and modify the parameters of each lamp through the POSYC operator panel

preform heating lengthwise differentiated and radially homogeneous

heat-reflecting panels, made of composite material, mounted on the front and at the rear of the infra-red lamps to increase radiation intensity and, consequently, cut energy consumption

mandrels chain pitch to 54 mm

liquid-fed cooling system, in order to cool the protection ring preventing the preforms thread deformation during the heating process

air-fed cooling system, in order to keep the heating module temperature constant and low enough

modular design, standardized for all stretch blow-molders models

STRETCH-BLOWING WHEEL

cam-controlled highly reliable technology

standardized stretch-blowing stations for all blow moulders models, with a low dead volume thanks to high performance valves and optimized circuits

liquid-fed cooling system, in order to keep the molds temperature constant

air recovery system supplied as a standard equipment

moulds treated on the surface and made from a special aluminium alloy highly resistant to wear

mould-holders made from an austempered iron casting highly resistant to mechanical stress

motorized stretching rod to boost speed and enable a more flexible management of the stretching process

AIR RECOVERY SYSTEM

two exhaust valves for each stretch-blowing station: the first one introduces the air into the air recovery system tank, the second one discharges the air that can not be recycled

considerable reduction of the energy costs and 40% saving in the compressed air consumption; thanks to the recovery system, a part of the air in the blowing circuit is recovered and recycled for the pre-blowing circuit and for the machine service air. The pressure of the pre-blowing circuit is controlled by an electronic adjusting device. If the pre-blowing circuit or the service air circuit do not need the recycled air, it is possible to use it for the low-pressure circuit of other external systems.

use of eco-compatible, environment-friendly technology

ELECTRICAL PANEL AND MACHINE WIRING

electrical panel integrated in the heating module, thus reducing the machine overall dimensions; as a consequence, the final user has got larger space to install any optional equipment or additional accessories. Moreover, the machine structure is more compact and the access to it is easier, thanks to the elimination of the power cables (air or ground cables) that are generally used for the connection with the external electrical panels

use of pre-assembled and pre-tested cables

ethernet communication ring

SERCOS interface™ field bus

* Data provided on this page are not binding, as they have to be confirmed by SMI according to the machine user's production conditions and technical specifications.

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